Passmore would be with them. "He says for you to come right up," said the bell-boy, who had delivered the message. "Is he up yet?" questioned Dave. "Yes, sir." The bell-boy led the way to the room, which was in a wing on the second floor. All the boys but Bert went up, and Mr. Passmore accompanied them. They found Mr. Fordham seated in an easy chair. He looked quite bewildered at the entrance of so many visitors. "Good-morning, Mr. Fordham," said Mr. Passmore. "I suppose you are quite surprised to see me at this time in the morning, and with so many young gentlemen with me," and the rug dealer smiled broadly. "A bit surprised, yes," was the somewhat feeble answer. "But I—I suppose it is all right." "Let me introduce my young friends," went on Mr. Passmore, and did so. "They have got something they would like to tell you." "To tell me?" questioned the aged man, curiously. "Sit down, won't you," he added, politely, and motioned to chairs and to a couch. "We came to see you about a man who called to see you last night, a Mr. Job Haskers," said Dave, after a pause, during which the visitors seated themselves. "Perhaps it is none of our business, Mr. Fordham, but my chums and I here felt it our duty to tell you about that man." "We don't want to do him any harm, if he is trying to earn an honest living," put in Roger, "but we want you to be on your guard in any dealings you may have with him." "Why, what do you young men know of Mr. Haskers?" demanded the old gentleman, in increasing wonder. "We know a great deal about him, and very little to his credit," burst out Phil. "If you have any dealings with him, be careful, or, my word for it, you may get the worst of it!" "Why this is—er—very extraordinary!" murmured Mr. Fordham. "I—I don't know what to make of it," and he looked rather helplessly at Mr. Passmore. "Porter, you had better tell what you know about Haskers," said Bert's father. "But cut it short, for that man may get here soon." In a plain, straightforward manner
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